Offensive Sets

[UKLaxfan]

What is your favourite Offensive set?

Do you know what an Offensive Set is?

From another Forum:

You could try Carthage's 1-1-3-1... (number from X) Sure, they had all the Powell bros. and lots of talent, but the concept is a good one.

I spent some time with coach Ventiquattro (in person and lots of email). Easy offense to implement with a few simple rules. It allows an offense to primarily use their two most dominant players in immediate scoring position while forcing a defense into uncomfortable situations.

#1 - player at X
#2 - low crease
#3, #4, #5 18 yards above GLE
#6 - 5 yards outside the box

The offense is based on the best two players in a mirror on the crease, 3 players standing about 5 - 7 yards apart at 2 yards below the restraining line, and 1 player positioned 5 yards outside the box.

The ball is moved to #1 while #2 stays approx. 180 degrees opposite the carrier.

First thought is 1v1 - if slide comes from crease the look is for an easy dump to #2. (This is just basic 2-man game that can also include picks and exchanges.)

While the 2-man game is taking place, 3, 4, and 5 are cutting.

Their rules are:
- Keep their spacing (width)
- Someone must always be cutting
- No more than two cutters at one time
- Always back-out facing the goal (ready to find space if your man leaves to help with #1 and #2)
- Finish cuts at 10 yards - don't carry defender into the 2-man game.

#6 balances the field, is back for breaks and can find space if/when his man helps with other players.

At some point opposing teams will most likely go zone or try to drop a "backer" down to help with the 2-man game while 3 play 4 up top.

#3 - #6 must recognize this and find space on the wings, so that a new point of attack can be set (swing the ball)

[6x6]

We've used this frequesntly the last couple of years with great success but with some exceptions that probably seem to fly in the face of the stratgey.

First, our players at 1 and 2 were not always the most dominate. The player at X could play and did score but he was always a good stick handler and passer, first and foremost. Our best two attackmen (most dominate) were 3 and 5 with the hardest shots on the team, while also pretty accurate. They could also dodge quite well.

As stated, if #1 would get the slide he'd dump to #2 for some easy goals. If #2 was not open, then the first look was to either #3 or #5 and given a sliver of room either could rip from outside. If they drew a slide as would happen pretty quickly after they each scored a couple, then they'd again dump to #2 on the crease for an easy look or #1 rolling the cage from X.

It is important for #6 to be a fast, defensive minded middie. As pointed out, invariably fast breaks do occur and he obviously has to get back.

[UKLaxfan]

I think the advantage of having two most dominant players at #1 & #2 (best dodgers/feeders/finishers) is that they will do the bulk of the ball handling and creating.

If only #1 is an initiator then fatigue may become a factor.

At Carhage, imagine the Powell's, the Coffmans, Mike Ventiquatro or Grimms.

In England, Nick Watson, Danny Hodgson would be perfectly suited.

Putting the ball in thre stick of your best players in the most dangerous area of the field makes sense.

When the defense adjusts to give them help, going to plan B to cut to open spaces, for easy shots.

It's simple and effective.

It would never work in UK though, patience, discipline, structure are not strong points.

[fifteen peter twenty]

I like the idea of this set. I think it makes a lot of sense to concentrate on initiating from that area of the field and the only problem I could see is that the guy at 6 either hangs back too much and it's effective 5v6, or gets drawn in too often and congests the crease area. But that's discipline as UKLaxfan has already said.

Any more comments about the various attacking options? Pros/Cons of each?

We are currently trying to run a 2-3-1 into a 1-4-1, dodge from up top then swing the ball to to weak defensive side and attack that out of a 1-4 shape. When it works it's a lot of fun but it might not be the best one for us.